Considering the decision to let Kirk Cousins walk, there's only one thing HC Jay Gruden could really say about the change at QB: The Redskins are better. And that's what he said to reporters at the owners meetings in March. "Yeah, without a doubt," Gruden said when asked if Washington is better off after trading for Smith. ... Of course, the Redskins need to say they're better off with Smith, otherwise they would be admitting a mistake. But they do like Smith and feel he's a better fit for their situation. For starters, he signed a long-term contract, something that wasn't going to happen with Cousins. They've also pointed to Smith's record with Kansas City -- the Chiefs were 50-26 with him as the starter. However, Smith would be the first to say he didn’t do it alone. Of the defenses he played with, four ranked among the top 10 in points allowed. The Redskins haven't had a defense finish top 10 in points allowed since 2008. But Gruden does like what Smith brings to Washington. He said the team can expand its offensive play-calling because of those skills. Rookie RB Derrius Guice upgrades the rushing attack and the team's tight ends should benefit from Smith's reliance on that position. Still, at the end of the day Smith will be hard-pressed to repeat last season’s fantasy success.

Alex Smith 2017 Outlook

When Smith posted his fourth-lowest passer rating of the season in the Chiefs' 18-16 home playoff loss to Pittsburgh -- and his coach, Andy Reid didn't offer a strong, immediate vote of confidence the day after the game -- the soon-to-be 33-year old wasn't surprised when chatter started increasing about finding his replacement. But here's what most didn't know: Shortly after the season came to an end, Reid conducted his customary exit interview and gave Smith the impression that he would be Reid's quarterback again in 2017. Indeed, Smith and Reid had multiple discussions about 2017, and where they both need to improve. Even though the team traded up to select Patrick Mahomes in the first round , Reid reinforced his message. "Alex is our quarterback -- there's no question about that or anything else," Reid said. Which means Smith appears to be locked in for another year as fantasy back-up fodder; a sure-starter for his NFL team and a player who is capable enough to get you through a bye week or injury emergency.

Alex Smith 2016 Outlook

As the Kansas City Star notes, during a year in which the Chiefs rallied from a 1-5 start to win 11 straight games, it's obvious that Smith -- who completed 65.3 percent of his passes for a career-high 3,486 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions -- managed to finally shake his "game manager" label by shouldering the load for an offense without star back Jamaal Charles. Specifically, Smith's increased willingness to throw the deep ball, which improved as the season went on, was noticeable. Last off-season's addition of a bona fide No. 1 receiver in Jeremy Maclin and the ascension of Travis Kelce as one of the league's best tight ends helped Smith's cause. HC Andy Reid did a nice job of melding the offense around Smith's talents. Smith, of course, doesn't have a huge arm. But he does have brains, accuracy and escapability -- he rushed for a career-high 498 yards on 84 attempts.